Hand operated tank lubricator



Dec. 11, 1945. c. E. FITCH 1 2,390,831

' HAND OPERATED TANK LUBRICATOR Filed June 25, 1 42 5 Sheets- Sheet 1 q .1 143 1,4 109 J43 INVENTOR.

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' c. E. FITCH HAND OPERATED TANK LUBRICA'I'OR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 23, 1942 Patented Dec. 11, 1945 HAND OPERATED TANK LUBRICATOR Clifiord E. Fitch, Bryan, Ohio, assignor to The Aro Equipment Corporation, Bryan, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 23, 1942 Serial No. 448,121)

16 Claims.

' which apparatus is capable of being economically manufactured.

A further object is to provide an improved lubrication apparatus of the character indicated, including novel pumping mechanism constructed and arranged for constantly and automatically maintaining relatively uniform air pressure acting on a follower in the storage compartment, containing heavy lubricant, and also serving as the means for forcibly discharging the lubricant dispensed from the storage compartment.

A further object is to provide an improved lubrication apparatus of the character indicated, characterized by the provision of novel pumping mechanism constructed and arranged for constantly and automatically maintaining a relatively uniform head of air pressure on a follower in a storage compartmentcontaining heavy lubricant, and which also serves as the medium for forcibly discharging .the lubricant dispensed from the compartment, together with the provision of means for varying the effective range of predetermined air pressure developed by the pumping mechanism for acting upon the follower.

Still another object is to provide an improved lubrication apparatus of the character indicated characterized by the provisionof a novel form of pumping apparatus constructed and arranged for constantly and automatically maintaining relatively uniform air pressure acting on a follower in a storage compartment, containing heavy lubricant, and serving also as the ,means for forcibly discharging the lubricant dispensed from the compartment, together with means .for by-passing air supplied by the pumping mechanism, when a predetermined pressure in the compartment has been attained, ,so .as to permit iull utilization of energy ,for pumping the lubricant, as it is dispensed from the compartment.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved safety cover construction for receptacles or compartments containing fluid pressure, so that opening of the cover is precluded until the pressure within the receptacle or storage .compartmfint is reduced to substantially atmospheric pressure.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a novel form of stabilizing means for maintaining the portable lubricating apparatus in a relatively stationary position during operation thereof.

With these and other objects in View, my invention consists in the construction, operation and combination of the various parts of my apparatus, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan elevation of the novel lubrication apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the apparatus, taken as indicated at line 3-3 on Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section through the pumping apparatus, taken as indicated .at line 4-4 on Figure 2 Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the control means for the lubricant pump, in an inoperative position of adjustment, taken substantially as indicated at line 5-5 on Figure 4;

Figure ,6 is a sectional view similar to Figure ,5, but showing the control means in an operating position of adjustment; and

Figures '7 and 8 are transverse sectional views through a portion cf the pumping apparatus, taken as indicated substantially at lines 1-! and ,8-.8 respectively on Figure fl.

The lubricant apparatus illustrated in the drawings is of the portable unitary type, which maybe physically carried from place to place, or may be mounted upon a wheeleddolly for c ven en movement from place t la A s e in th dra in s, th app at s c udes a o age com a tmen or c t le H in the form of a cylinder, which is disposed in upright position for use, and provided at oppositesides with a pair of handles vHl for convenientl l tin an car in t nt p a at Formed as an extension of the lower end of the receptacle I9 is an auxiliarycylindrical body I I, whi h is sec red t the lower end of the r eptacle in any convenient manner, such as by welding, and which constitutes the supporting base for the apparatus.

Mounted for verticalsliding movement within the receptacle is a follower I2 of generally disc form, the outer marginal edge of which is provided with a flexible, dish-shaped gasket member I l for insuring snug sealing engagement of the follower with the interior wall of the receptacle. The follower rests directly upon the body of lubricant in the receptacle, and, as shown in Figure 3, corresponds to a'position at which it is supported by the body of lubricant. Connected to the upper surface of the follower is a handle member I5,

which permits convenient removal of the folwardly extending flare, as indicated at H, in

Figure 3 of the drawings. The upper end-of the receptacle is adapted to be closed and sealed by a novel cover construction, including a main cover element I 9, to the under surface of which, at the outer marginal edge thereof, is applied a flexible seal 29, the outer marginal portion of which is adapted to overlie, in abutting relation, the upper edge of the flared portion H of the upper end of the receptacle. The marginal edge of the cover element l9 terminates in a depending skirt 29 dimensioned for telescopically overlapping the outer edge of the flexible seal 29, and the upper flared portion I! of the receptacle, as seen in the drawings, to serve as a seal against dust and dirt. An inverted, annular cup-shaped seal of flexible material, as indicated at 2|, is mounted beneath the seal 20, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, and is positioned for a snug sealing engagement with the inner wall of the receptacle 9.

The cover is hingedly connected to the receptacle I9, and is provided with a pair of laterally extending, spaced apart arms 23, the outer ends of which are pivotally connected by a bolt 24 to a pair of upstanding lugs 25 connected to the external surface of the receptacle ID, adjacent the upper end, as seen in the drawings.

It is to be understood that the follower I2 is placed in the receptacle l9 so as to rest directly upon the head of lubricant stored therein, and, as will hereinafter be described, air under pressureis introduced in the upper portion of the receptacle above the follower so as to cause the follower to exert a substantial pressure upon the body of lubricant in the receptacle, causing it to flow through the discharge outlet IS.

The cover |9 is adapted to be locked in sealing engagement with the upper end of the receptacle It by a novel form of safety device. As seen in the drawings, the cover is engaged by three circumferentially spaced apart locking devices, each of which includes a locking member 2! pivotally connected by a pin 28 to a pair of spaced apart ears 29, secured to the upper surface of the cover l9, as seen inthe drawings. The locking member 21 terminates at its lower end in a hookshaped portion 39, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, and is adapted to be swung into cooperating relation to an oppositely-formed, hook-shaped member 3|, with the terminal ends of the hookshaped portion 3% of the member 21 and of the member 3| disposed in position for interlocking engagement with each other.

When the receptacle I0 is vented to atmosphere, and the cover l9 placed in position thereon, the pivoted locking members 21 are swung downwardly so as to cause the hook portions 30 to pass beneath the cooperating ends of the hook members 3|. In such position of the cover, the sealing members 20 and 2| are operative to effectively seal the receptacle. Then air under pressure is admitted to the upper end of the receptacle, above the follower l2, and reacts to exert a pressure upon the follower and the under side of the cover I9, tending to raise the latter with respect to the receptacle l9, and thereby disposing the locking members 21 in an interlocked relationship to the members 3|, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawing's. Under such conditions it is impossible to inadvertentl open the cover l9 when the receptacle I0 is under pressure. The cover l9 can only be opened when the air pressure within the receptacle is reduced substantially to atmosphere, so as to permit the operating ends of the hook portions 30 of the locking members 21 to be swung clear of the operating ends of the cooperating hook members 3|.

Mounted on the cover l9, incommunication with the interior of the receptacle, is a relief valve 33 which is adapted to be adjusted so as to serve as a safety valve in the event of failure of operation of the other mechanism, hereinafter to be described, which would tend to cause the pressure in the receptacle,- above the follower, to build up in excess of a predetermined amount.

There is also provided on the cover l9, in communication with the interior of the receptacle, a hand-operated relief valve 34,'which, when operated, immediately relieves the pressure within the receptacle so as to permit disengagement of the locking members 27 from the cooperating members 3|, preparatory to opening of the cover l9.

The pumping mechanism is mounted against the rear external wall portion of the receptacle l0, and is supported on a bracket 38 secured to the receptacle. The pumping mechanism in-- cludes an air cylinder 31 disposed in upright position, seated in sealing engagement at its lower end in a base casting 38, and its upper end is closed by a head 39. The cylinder, base and head are rigidly connected together and connected to the support 36 by bolts 36*. Mounted within the cylinder 31 is a piston 3'! connected to a vertically reciprocable operating tube 40 which extends downwardly through the base 38 and is sealed thereat against air leakage by a packing gland including a compressible body 42 seated against a coil spring 43, disposed in a recess 44 formed in the support 36. The body of compressible material 42 is held against the spring by a nut 45. The upper end of the'tube 40 is slidably guided in a journal bearing 46 in the head 39, and fixedly secured in the upper end of the tube is a slidable portion of a clevis 41, the upper end of which straddles and is pivotally connected at 41 to a handle socket fixture :18 of v a manually operable handle 48, which normally extends in horizontal direction, over the receptacle, as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings.

The handle socket includes an extension 49, which is pivotally connected at its outer end by a bolt 50, between a pair of upwardly extending toggle links 5|, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected by a bolt 52 to a pair of spaced ears 53, extending upwardly from the air cylinder head 39.

It will now be apparent that by rocking the pump handle 48 about its pivot 41*, in'a vertical plane, causes raising and lowering of the piston 3'! in the cylinder 31. Air is admitted into the cylinder 31 through a duct 54 communicating with an air cleaning chamber 55 formed in the head 39. Said chamber is provided with a filter of suitable material, as indicated at 55 for removing solid particles from the air. The upper end of the chamber 55 is closed by an apertured or reticulated cover plate 56.

Air is discharged from the lower end of the cylinder 31, through a duct 58 formed in the base 38. The opposite end of the duct connects into a chamber 59, and is controlled by a valve member 60, yieldingly urged to closed position by a coil spring Bl'. The valve 59 serves to control communication between the lower end of the duct 58 and a passageway 52, the latter being connected, intermediate its length, to a passageway 63 which is in direct communication with a conduit 64. The other end of the conduit 54 is connected to the interior of the receptacle l0, adjacent the upper end. It is by virtue of these ducts and passageways that air is supplied under pressure to the interior of the receptacle l0, above the follower I2. It is to be understood that the valve 60 is normally closed and is caused to open when the piston 3'! compresses the air in the cylinder 31, until the pressure within the receptacle l8 reaches a predetermined amount.

:When the air pressure in the receptacle reaches a predetermined amount the valve 60 will not be opened, and the air compressed by piston 31 will be lay-passed, as will now be described.

The mechanism for by-passing air when the air pressure within the head of the receptacle I8 reaches a predetermined amount, includes a housing 10, formed as an integral part of the base 38, in the lower end of which is formed a cylinder chamber 1|, the lower end of which communicates, through aperture H directly with the passageway 62. Reciprocably movable in the chamber H is a piston I2, formed on the lower end of a vertically movable, two-position control member 13.

An auxiliary or by-pass duct 14 is connected to the duct 58, and is normally sealed, at the opposite end, during the time that the air in the head of the receptacle I8 is being built up to a predetermined pressure. When the air pressure within the receptacle reaches a predetermined value, the control member 13 moves to the position seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, at which position the by-pass duct 14 is in full registration with an annular channel 16, formed about the control member 13. Said channel is always in communication with a radial duct 11, which opens into a centrally disposed vertical duct 18, formed in the control member 13, and which latter duct opens at its upper end into a chamber 80.

The control member 13 is normally, during the time that the pressure in the receptacle I is being built up, held in a position in which the piston 12 seals the aperture Il and at which position of adjustment the end of the duct 14 is likewise sealed by the control member. Said control member is held in such position of adjustment by a coil spring 82, the lower end of which is seated on the upper end of said mem; ber 13, and the upper end of which is seated against an adjustable screw 83, threaded into a hollow tubular body 84, having a threaded connection with the upper end of the housing 10. The screw 83 is slotted at its upper end for rethe upper end of said member 13. A filter of suitable material, as indicated at 89, is disposed in the chamber 81 for the purpose of collecting and removing particles of solid matter fromthe air. The breather chamber 81 is vented to atmosphere through a pair of apertures 90.

It is highly desirable that the control member 13 be moved with a snap action so as to yieldingly maintain the control member at either of its two limiting positions of vertical adjustment. This will eliminate the constant opening and closing of the ducts 58 and M, due to variation in the pressure in the receptacle I8. For this purpose, the control member is provided with two axially and vertically spaced apart, oppositely disposed frusto-conical surfaces 13 and 13 which serve as cams for cramping the member 13 to its respective positions of adjustment. A pair of metal balls or detents 92 are disposed within apertures formed in the body member 10 in position to engage said surfaces. Said balls are held yieldingly inwardly by an annular coil spring 94', disposed in an annular groove 95 in the body member 18, as seen in Figure 4.

It will now be apparent that as the control member 13 moves from its lowermost position to the position seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, the metal balls 92 are pressed outwardly and are held in an outward position beyond the wall of the cavity in which said member 13 moves, until the clearance or notch portion of the control member, adjacent the frusto-conical surface 13* comes into registration with the balls so that the balls then yieldingly engage said frusto-conical face [3 and thereby retain the control member in the raised position seen in Figure 4 of the drawings.

When the control member moves downwardly, the reverse action takes place until the balls 92 engage the frusto-conical face I3 and thus tend to cramp the control member in a downward position within the cylinder 12, sealing the aperture N and, at the same time, the body of the control member serves to seal the duct 14.

The air pump and associated control members are totally enclosed in a sheet metal housing 15, connected at its vertical edges to the external wall of the receptacle 10.

The apparatus thus far described relates to the control apparatus for automatically maintaining a predetermined air pressure in the receptacle In for acting upon the follower I2, and which, in turn, exerts pressure on the body of lubricant within the receptacle for forcing it through the outlet l6. As is well known, the apparatus thus far described in itself is insufficient to exert adequate pressure on the body of heavy lubricant, such as heavy grease, for forcibly dispensing the grease through conduits, for use in lubricating ther apparatus. Hence, a separate grease pump is incorporated in this apparatus, and include a vertically disposed operating rod I00 enclosed within the air pump tube 40. The lower end of the rod terminates inv an elongatedsolid piston IOI slidably movable in a cylinder in the form of a duct I02, formed in a fixture I03, secured to the lower portion of the receptacle I0, and which includesthe outlet duct I6 communicating with the interior of the receptacle I0. The cylinder or duct I02 intersects the duct I6 and communicates at its lower end with a passageway I 04 terminating in an enlarged cavity I05. Disposed in the cavity I05 is a ball check valve I06 normally held seated by a spring I08 reacting against a threaded plug I09. Communicating with the chamber I05 is a fitting I I which is connected to a conduit III, the free end of which, it may be understood, is provided with a suitable fixture, not shown, through which the grease is forcibly discharged. The upper end of the fixture I03, surrounding the piston IN, is provided with a packing gland including a compressible body II2, held firmly in position in sealing engagement with said piston by a hollow screw plug I I3.

The upper end of the pump rod I00 is reduced, as indicated at I I 4, to form a head I I5. Mounted within a cavity formed within the clevis 41 is a control member 1, surrounding the reduced portion 4 of said rod, and normally urged to the position, seen in Figures 4 and of the draws, by a coil spring II8.

The control member includes a finger-piece I I9 for conveniently moving the control member inwardly in a horizontal direction for effecting disengagement of operating connections with the pump rod I00. The upper face of the control member is recessed to provide a crescentshaped shoulder I 20, which normally, in one position of adjustment of the control member, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, is out of engagement with the underside of the head II5 of the pump rod, so that the pump rod remains stationary while the handle 48 may be oscillated for imparting vertical reciprocable movement to the tube 40 and its associated piston 31 of the air p p.

The control memberis provided with a transversely extending pin I25 cooperating with the wall of the clevis 41. Said pin is provided with a head I26 engaging the end of a coil spring I21,

disposed in a recess formed in the wall of the clevis member, the spring being held captive by a cap screw I28. The control member is formed with an opening I25 of elongated cross-section, terminating in a recess I26 into which the head I26 of said pin may be seated. Said opening permits a limited range of horizontal movement of the control member II1 relatively to said pin I25. The head I26 of said pin is normally seated in recess I26, as seen in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, at which position the head II5 of the pump rod I00 is'disengaged.

When it is desired to engage the pump rod, so as to operate the grease pump piston IOI, the projecting end I25 of the pin I25, as seen in Figure 5, is pressed inwardly by the finger, so as to move the head I26 into the cavity of the spring I21, as seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, at which time the control member H1 is projected forwardly by the action of the coil spring I I8, so as to dispose the crescent-shaped shoulder I20 in a position to engage beneath the head II5 of the pump rod. This position of the con trol member II1 may be assumed, even when the pump handle and control member are in raised position, so that, upon downward movement, the control member engages the head II5 of the pump rodin' camwise action until the shoulder I20 is in position to snap into operating position beneath said head I I5, under control of spring IIB. In such position of adjustment of the control member it will be apparent that upon continued operation of the handle 46' the grease pump piston IOI will be operated si- For convenience in use, the operating handle,

includes a pair of telescoping tubular members I30 and I3I, the former being fixedly connected to the handle socket fixture 48 A rod I33 is fixedly'connected in the extreme inner end of the tube I30 and is slidably mounted in the ad-.

jacent end of the tube I 3!, and is provided with a head I35 for limiting the extent of outward telescopic relationship of the tubes. The outer end 'of the tube I3I is provided with a hand grip I36 in the form of a ball for convenience in operating the handle.

It will now .be apparent that by virtue of the novel handle construction it is possible, when not in use, to be collapsed in a relatively compact relationship to the general over-all dimensions of the entire apparatus, and when in use, the handle may be extended a substantial distance forwardly of the receptacle so as to provide adequate leverage in the operation of the air and grease pumps.

As is well known, due to the nature of apparatus of this type, substantial force is required in operating the pump handle, particularly in discharging heavy grease, and there'is a tendency in the application of pressure to the handle to cause tilting or rocking of th total apparatus. To insure adequate stability of the entire apparatus during the time it is being operated, I provide a novel form of stabilizing means in the nature of a three-point support, including a fixed foot I I formed as a channel and secured to the rear side of the base II, with the web thereof disposed substantially flush with and constituting an extension of the bottom of said base, and a pair of legs I40, the outer ends of which are swivelly connected to fiat-faced discs MI. The under surfaces of the discs are provided with taper-pointed bodies I 43, for conveniently engaging into the ground for rigid anchorage. As seen in the drawings, these legs are mounted at opposite sides of the storage receptacle I0, and their inner ends ar pivotally connected by wing nut bolts I44 to brackets I45 connected to the receptacle I0.

Rigidly connected to the outer faces of said brackets are looking members'l46, disposed adjacent one sideof the ends of said legs. The cooperating faces of the leg members and locking members are each provided with a series of'radial serrations I41, adapted to'intermesh to hold the legs at any desired position of pivotal adjustment by merely tightening the wing nuts 144 Preferably, the legs are disposed in an operating position, as seen in Figure 3 of the draw-' ings, with the forward end of the base II elevated so that said foot I l together with the discs I4I, constitute a three-point support for the apparatus, to maintain it in relatively stable condition while in use. Said legs may be swung upwardly into inoperative position, adjacent the receptacle 10, as indicated in dot-and-dash outline in Figure 3 of the drawings, permitting the apparatus to rest upon the bottom of its base i l, and also rendering the entire apparatus convenient for movement from place to place.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

After the receptacle is filled to a suitable level with lubricant, such as heavy grease, the follower l 2 is placed in position and the cover l9 moved to a closed sealing position on the receptacle, and the locking members 21 are disposed in a position to interlock with their cooperating members 31. The stabilizing legs may, if desired, be placed in operating position for maintaining the apparatus relatively stable. The pump handle is then preferably extended and vertically oscillated. This action first operates the air piston 3'! for forcing air through the duct 58 and opening the valve 59, because the duct 14 is sealed at this time. The air then passes into the chamber 59 through the ducts 62 and 63 into the conduit 64, which communicates directly with the upper end of the receptacle I0 above the follower. As the air pressure builds up in the upper end of the receptacle ID, the cover becomes positively locked in a sealed position. During the time that the air pressure is being built up in the receptacle in, air pressure acting through the duct 62 and the aperture I I is reacting against the bottom of the piston 12. As the pressure in the tank tends to equalize the pressure exerted by the coil spring 82, the control member 13, by the action of air pressure on the bottom of piston 12, moves upwardly until the detent balls 92 ride into engagement with the frusto-conical surface 13 thus tending to hold the control member 13 in such raised position as seen in Figure 4 of the drawings. When this occurs, the duct 14 is then in open communication with the annular duct 16, so that the air is by-passed from the cylinder 31 to the atmosphere. This is the result of the direct communication of the annular duct 16 with the axial duct 11, which opens into the chamber 80, and the latter communicating through ducts 86, and the air filters directly to the exterior throug the vent apertures 90'.

Thus, when the air within the receptacle has attained a predetermined pressure, any further action of the air pump merely by-passses the air.

When the pressure in the receptacle is reduced to a predetermined amount, such as by equilization of pressure incident'to discharge of lubricant from the storage receptacle, the operation of the control apparatus, while the handle 48 is being operated, becomes operative and moves the control member 13 from the position seen in Figure 4, downwardly, causing the piston 12 to seal the aperture 1 l and thus simultaneously the duct 14, thereby permitting re-establishment of communication for passage of compressed air into the upper end of the storage receptacle.

When the air is being by-passed, the air filters 55 and 89 merely serve as breathers, the air being drawn in and pushed out through these filters incident to the action of the piston 31 When it is desired to pump grease, the pin' I25 is first pushed inwardly to release the control member II! to assume a position as seen in Figure 6, adapted to be operatively engaged with the pump rod I00, by engagement of the crescentshaped shoulder I20 beneath the under side of the plunger head H5. Vertical oscillation of the handle with the control H1 in such position, in

addition to pumping air, also imparts vertical reciprocation to the grease pump piston IGl for forcibly feedin the heavy lubricant through .the check valve and into the supply conduit ill for dispensing the same.

During the action of the grease pump, the air pump continues to function, so that when the pressure of air in the receptacle it! recedes to a predetermined amount, the controls automatically become adjusted for re-establishing communication between the air pump and the receptacle for again building up the air pressure in the receptacle to the predetermined value.

It is by virtue of this construction that it is possible at all times to maintain a relatively uni.- form pressure of air in the lubricant receptacle chamber, without any thought on the part of the operator, after the apparatus has once been properly set and adjusted,

A further advantage of the interlocking pump relationships is that when the predetermined pressure exists in the receptacle H] the full energy of the operator is free to be utilized in the operation of the grease pump for efliciently and expeditiously discharging the heavy grease through the supply conduit Ill.

Some changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of the various parts of my lubricant discharging apparatus, without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of construction or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I' claim as my invention:

1. In a tank lubricator, the combination of a storage receptacle for a body of lubricant and adapted to be sealed to atmosphere, a follower seated upon the head of lubricant, an air pump including conduit connections for supplying compressed air to the upper end of the receptacle for building up pressure therein and causing the follower to exert pressure on the body of lubricant, tending to discharge the same through an outlet from the receptacle, a grease pump operatively associated with the discharge outlet of the receptacle, and means for operating the grease pump including detachable connections to said air pump for selective simultaneous operation of both of said pumps or of said air pump alone.

2. In a tank lubricator, the combination of a manually operated air pump including conduit connections for supplying compressed air to a receptacle or the like, and automatic control means for by-passing the air from the conduit when the air in the receptacle attains a predetermined pressure, and re-establishing operative connections for supplying air to the receptacle when air in said receptacle recedes to a second and lower predetermined pressure, said control means including a movable body adapted to assume either of two limiting positions of adjustment and adapted at one position to seal the by-pass of air from the conduit, said body having a piston at one end movable in a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being connected by a passageway to said conduit to permit exertion of pressure against the piston substantially equal to the air pressure in the receptacle, and resilient means for yieldingly opposing movement of the body and piston in one direction, a yielding means opposing movement of said body and piston in either direction said body and piston being moved by such exerted pressure in opposition to said resilient means plus the force of said yielding means to the other limiting position of movement when the pressure in the receptacle exceeds the force of said resilient means, to establish the by-pass of air from the'conduit to atmosphere, and said body and piston being moved to said one limiting position of movement by said resilient means when the pressure in the receptacle is reduced to less than the force of the resilient means plus the force of said yielding means.

3. In a lubricator, the combination of a manually operated air pump including conduit connections for supplying compressed air to a receptacle or the like, and automatic control means for by-passing the air from the conduit when the air in the receptacle attains a predetermined pressure, and re-establishing operative connections for supplying air to the receptacle when air in said receptacle recedes to a predetermined pressure, said control means including a. movable body adapted to assume either of two limiting positions of adjustment and adapted at one position to seal the by-pass of air from the conduit, said body having a piston at one end movable in a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being connected by a passageway to said conduit to permit exertion of pressure against the piston substantially equal to the air pressure in the receptacle, resilient means for yieldingly opposing movement of the body and piston in one direction, whereby said body and piston are moved in opposition to the resilient means to the other limiting position of movement when the pressure in the receptacle exceeds the force of said resilient means, to establish the by-pass of air from the conduit, and said body and piston being moved by said resilient means to the said one limiting position of movement when the pressure in the receptacle is reduced to less than the force of said resilient means, detent means for yieldingly maintaining said body and piston at either of its two limiting positions to provide maximum and minimum limits of air pressure in said receptacle at which said body and piston are moved, and means for retaining said detent means against movement longitudinally of said cylinder.

4. In a tank lubricator, the combination of an air pump including conduit connections for supplying compressed air to a receptacle, and automatic control means for by-passing the air from the conduit when the air in the receptacle attains a predetermined pressure, and re-establishing operative connections for supplying air to the receptacle when air in said receptacle recedes to a predetermined pressure, said control means including a movable body adapted to assume either of two limiting positions of adjustment and adapted at one position to seal the by-pass of air from the conduit, said body having a piston at one end movable in a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being connected by a passageway to said conduit to permit exertion of pressure against the piston substantially equal to the air pressure in the receptacle, a coil spring positioned to yieldingly oppose movement of the body and piston in one direction, whereby said body and piston are moved in opposition to the spring to the other limiting position of movement when the pressure in the receptacle exceeds the force of said spring, to establish the by-pass of air from the conduit, and said body and piston being moved to the said 1 one limiting position of movement by said coil spring when the pressure in the receptacle is reduced to less than the force of said spring, and detent means for yieldingly maintaining 594 1.?

body and piston at either'of its two limiting positions to provide maximum and minimum limits of air pressure in said receptacle at which said body and piston are moved, said detent means including two spaced apart tapered surfaces on said body and yieldingly spring-pressed members for engaging said surfaces alternately, tending to cramp said body and piston toward its respective positions of adjustment, said springpressed members beig held against movement longitudinally of said'cylinder.

5. In a tank lubricator, the combination of,

a manually operated air pump including conduit, connections for supplying compressed air to a receptacle,.and automatic control means for bypassing the air from the conduit when the air in the receptacle attains a predetermined pressure, and re-establishing operative connections for supplying air to the receptacle when air in said receptacle recedes to a predetermined pressure, said control means including a movable body adapted to assume either of two limiting po sitions of adjustment and adapted at one position to seal the by-pass of air from the conduit, said body having a piston at one end movable in a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being connected by a passageway to said conduit to permit exertion of pressure against the piston, substantially equal to the air pressure in the receptacle, a coil spring positioned to yieldingly oppose movement of the body and piston in one direction, whereby said body and piston are moved in opposition to the spring to the other limiting position of movement when the pressure in the receptacle exceeds the force of said spring, to establish the Joy-pass of air from the conduit, and said body and piston are moved to the said one limiting position of movement by said coil spring when the pressure in the receptacle is reduced to less than the force of said spring, and means for varying the pressure of said coil spring and thereby rendering said control means responsive to a difierent range of air pressure in said receptacle. r

6. In a portable tank lubricator, the combina-, tion of a storage receptacle for a body of lubricant and adapted to be sealed to atmosphere, a follower seated upon the head of lubricant, an air pump including conduit connections for supplying compressed air to the upper end of the receptacle for building up pressure therein andcausing the follower to exert pressure on the through an outlet adjacent the bottom of the receptacle, and a grease pump located below said air pump and operatively associated with said discharge outlet of the receptacle, said pumps each including pistons and piston rods, said grease pump rod being surrounded by said air pump rod and passing through said air pump to said grease pump, and means for selectively connecting said rods together for simultaneous operation of said pumps, when said air pump is operated or disconnecting said rods relative to each other for operation of said air pump only.

7. In a tank lubricator of the character disclosed, the combination of a storagereceptacle for a body of lubricant and adapted to be sealed to atmosphere, a follower seated upon the head of lubricant, a manually operated air pump including conduit connections for supplying com-'v pressed air to the receptacle for building up pressure therein and causing the follower to exert receptacle, a grease pump operatively associated with said discharge outlet of the receptacle, detachablyengagea'ble means for simultaneously operating said pumps, whereby the air pump may be separately operated or operated simultaneously with the grease pump, and automatic valve means open from said pump to atmosphere for by-passing the air from the conduit and freely to atmosphere when the air in the receptacle attains a predetermined pressure, and a second automatic valve means open from said pump to the receptacle for re-establishing operative connections for supplying air to the receptacle when air in said receptacle recedes to a predetermined pressure.

8. In a portable tank lubricator, the combination of a storage receptacle for a body of lubricant and adapted to be sealed to atmosphere, a follower seated upon the head of lubricant, a manually operated air pump including conduit connections for supplying compressed air to the upper end of the receptacle for building up pressure therein and causing the follower to exert pressure on the body of lubricant, tending to discharge the same through an outlet from the receptacle, a grease pump operatively associated with the discharge outlet of the receptacle, means for operating the grease pump including manually controlled detachable connections to said air pump for selective simultaneous operation of both pumps or operation of the air pump only, automatic valve means open from said air pump to atmosphere only for by-passing the air from the conduit when the air in the receptacle attains a predetermined pressure, and a second automatic valve means open from said air pump to the receptacle re-establishing operative connections for supplying air to the receptacle when air in said receptacle recedes to a predetermined lower pressure.

9. In a portable hand operated tank lubricator, the combination of a lubricant storage receptacle, pumping means having an operating handle for forcibly discharging lubricant under pressure, said receptacle being adapted to be supported directly on the ground, and stabilizing means comprising a leg adapted to extend a substantial distance forwardly of the receptacle, and a foot swivelly connected to the outer end of said leg and including a relatively large supporting sur face adapted to be disposed in engagement with the ground for counterbalancing a tendency to tipping of the receptacle incident to actuation of said pumping means.

10. In a portable hand operated tank lubricator, the combination of a lubricant storage re ceptacle, pumping means having an operating handle for forcibly discharging lubricant under pressure, and stabilizing means comprising a leg adapted to extend a substantial distance forwardly of the receptacle, and a foot carried on the outer end of said leg for seating upon the ground, said foot being in the form of a wide face, the under side of which is provided with a prong for firm anchorage in the ground.

11. In a portable hand operated tank lubricator, the combination of a lubricant storage receptacle, pumping means having an operating handle for forcibly discharging lubricant under pressure, and stabilizing means comprising a leg adapted to extend a substantial distance forwardly of the receptacle, and a foot carried on the outer end of said leg adapted to be seated in engagement with the ground for counterbalancing a tendency to tipping of the receptacle incident to actuation of said pumping means, the other end of the leg being pivotally mounted on the receptacle for swinging into an upright position adjacent the wall of the receptacle when not in use.

12. In a portable hand operated tank lubricator, the combination of a lubricant storage receptacle, pumping means having an operating handle for forcibly discharging lubricant under pressure, and stabilizing means comprising a pair of legs at opposite sides of the receptacle, adapted to extend a substantial distance forwardly of the receptacle, and a foot carried on the outer end of each leg adapted to be seated in engagement with the ground for counterbalancing a tendency to tipping of the receptacle incidentto actuation of said pumping means, the other ends of said legs being pivotally mounted on the sides of the receptacle for swinging into upright position adjacent the wall thereof when not in use.

13. In a portable hand operated tank lubricator, the combination of a lubricant storage receptacle, pumping means having an operating handle for forcibly discharging lubricant under pressure, and stabilizing means in the form of a three-point support comprising a rearwardly extending foot fixedly secured to the receptacle and having its supporting face disposed substantially flush with the base of the receptacle, and a pair of legs at opposite sides of the receptacle, adapted to extend a substantial distance forwardly of the receptacle, and a foot carried on the outer end of each leg adapted to be seated in engagement with the ground for counterbalancing a tendency to tipping of the receptacle incident to actuation of said pumping means, the other ends of said legs being pivotally mounted on the sides of the receptacle for swinging into upright position adjacent the Wall thereof when not in use.

14. In a portable tank lubricator, the combination of a storage receptacle for a body of lubricant and adapted to be sealed to atmosphere, a follower seated upon the head of lubricant, a manually operated air pump including conduit connections for supplying compressed air to the upper end of the receptacle for building up pressure therein and causing the follower to exert pressure on the body of lubricant, tending to discharge the same through an outlet adjacent the bottom of the receptacle, a grease pump operatively associated with said discharge outlet of the receptacle, said air pump and grease pump being axially aligned, said pumps each including pistons and piston rods, one of said rods surrounding the other, means for detachably connecting said rods together for simultaneous operation of said pumps when so connected and for operation of only the air pump when not so connected, whereby the air pump may be separately operated or operated simultaneously with the grease pump, automatic valve means open from said air pump to atmosphere for by-passing the air from the conduit and freely to atmosphere when the air in the receptacle attains a predetermined pressure, and a second valve means open from said air pump to said receptacle re-establishing operative connections for supplying air to the receptacle when air in said receptacle recedes to a predetermined pressure.

15. In a portable hand operated tank lubricator, the combination of a lubricant storage receptacle, pumping means mounted rearwardly of the receptacle, and a manually operated pump handle pivotally connected to said pumping means and normally extending forwardly over the top of said receptacle, said handle comprising -a plurality of telescopingv members, one being extensible relatively to the other and the outer end of the outer member being provided with'a hand grip whereby the latter member, in extended operating position, projects a substantial distance forwardly of said receptacle, and supporting arms also extending forwardly of said receptacle to provide an effective extension of the base of the receptacle to aposition substantially under said hand grip when said pump handle is in its eX- tended position.

16. In a portable tank lubricator, the combination of a storage receptacle for a body of lubricant and adapted to be sealed to atmosphere, a follower seated upon the head of lubricant, a manually operated air pump including a conduit connection for supplying compressed air to the reecptacle for building up pressure therein and causing the follower to exert pressure on the body of lubricant, tending to discharge the same through an outlet from the receptacle, a grease pump operatively associated with the discharge outlet of the receptacle, means for operating the grease pump including manually controlled detachable connections to said air pump for simultaneous operation of said pumps, an automatic control member responsive to pressure in said container and having means of communication with said conduit connection for permitting air from said air pump to be discharged to atmosphere When the pressure in the container attains a predetermined value, and a check valve in said conduit connection to prevent air from said container returning therefrom and entering said means of communication, when said control member is in position permitting discharge of air from said air pump to atmosphere, said control member, when the air in said receptacle recedes to a predetermined lower pressure, closing said means of communication whereby said air then pumps air through said check valve to said container;

CLIFFORD E. FITCH. 

